Dr. Ronni S. Chernoff '67 (Human Ecology)
Columbia University, MS '69, MA education '74
University of Pennsylvania, PhD '83
Alumni-elected trustee, 2008
Dr. Ronni Chernoff is the associate director for education/evaluation for the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas; the director of the Arkansas Geriatric Education Center; and director of education for the Arkansas Aging Initiative. At the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences she serves as professor of geriatrics in the College of Medicine; professor of health education and health behavior in the College of Public Health; and director of education at the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging.
Cornell Service
Dr. Chernoff was elected by the alumni to her position on the Cornell University Board of Trustees in 2008. As a member of the board she serves on the Committee on Alumni Affairs, Committee on Academic Affairs, and Committee on Student Life. She is also immediate past chair of the Cornell University Council, a member of the President's Council of Cornell Women, and a past president and emeritus member of the Human Ecology Alumni Association.
Professional Career
Dr. Chernoff is a prolific author and editor. She has edited six books and published 42 abstracts, 44 journal articles, and 110 other publications, including book chapters, invited reviews, and other articles. Her books include Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in the Elderly, four editions of Geriatric Nutrition: A Health Professional's Handbook, and 2 editions of Communicating as Professionals. Dr. Chernoff has served in many capacities for the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and was its president from 1996 to 1997. She was named a charter fellow of the ADA and received the first ADA Foundation Award for Excellence in the Practice of Education and Research. Chernoff also was the first recipient of the Dietitians in Nutrition Support Dietetic Practice Group Award for Outstanding Contributions. She has received over $7 million in research and education grants during her career.
She was a delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Aging, representing the American Dietetic Association, and she chaired the National Nutrition Advisory Council for the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Aging from 1996 to 2001.
